What are the differences between the Marimba Lumina 3.5 and the new 2.5 version?
The major functional difference is in the number of bars; the standard edition spans 3 1/2 octaves, whereas the new compact version is a 2 1/2 octave instrument. To compensate for its reduced range, the Marimba Lumina 2.5 adds dedicated transposition pads (+ or - 1 octave). The number of pads has been increased to 12, providing an alternate method of accessing an additional octave. In response to user requests, the 2.5 adds an output level control and headset outputs. The overall length and the price of the Marimba Lumina have been shaved to 46 inches and $2495.

The 2.5 introduces a new control element, called a "puck" (as in shuffleboard). Pucks are positioned on bars for use in controlling parameter values, and are programmed exactly as if they were mallets. Two pucks and two mallets are shipped with the Marimba Lumina 2.5; additional pucks or mallets can be readily obtained.

Can I use conventional mallets with the Marimba Lumina?
No. The Marimba Lumina detects the presence of a mallet electronically and can additionally distinguish which of four mallets is striking a bar. But this only works for Marimba Lumina mallets.

But I'm not used to such soft mallets
Some mallet controllers employ conventional hard mallets, and claim to provide the authentic feel of a marimba. We find the transition to the soft mallets an easy one, and the consequent reduction in acoustic noise very desirable. Remember that we are not trying to provide an electronic imitation of a marimba, but rather an instrument that can capitalize on mallet technique while simultaneously offering an extended vocabulary and new performance variables.

Can I play Marimba Lumina with my fingers?
Not with much effect. Strikes will not be detected by Marimba Lumina, and at best, you'll hear a very quiet acoustic "thud".

What is the internal synthesizer used in the Marimba Lumina?
The internal synthesizer is an XG-MIDI synth employing wave table synthesis and featuring 32 note polyphony, hundreds of voices, and extensive digital effects.

How many programs can be stored in the Marimba Lumina?
100 programs may be stored internally: 50 of these reside in protected memory, and 50 are user accessible. Memory cards provide for storage / retrieval of additional programs in blocks of 50.

What is the warranty on the Marimba Lumina?
The instrument is built to exceptional standards of quality and workmanship. Parts and labor are guaranteed for one year.

Will there be periodic software release updates for the Marimba Lumina?
Software releases will be only as needed to fix bugs or introduce new features. They will not be periodic or scheduled.

How often do the pressure sensors need replacement?
Marimba Lumina uses no crystals or pressure sensitive elements. The technology used to sense the mallets is completely solid state and does not wear out.

What's inside the mallets?
Nothing but a tuned coil. There are no batteries or active circuitry.

What is the musical range of the instrument?
The lowest note on the 3.5 octave version is C3 (1 octave below middle C), and the highest is F6, for a total range of 3 1/2 octaves. The new 2.5 octave version covers a range of C4 to F6, with dedicated transposition pads to facilitate octave shifts. Transposition is easily performed on the whole instrument, for particular zones, or for individual mallets.

Will Don ever stop inventing new instruments?
We doubt it.